Patel played in 21 test matches from 1974 to 1977, and sustained a batting average of 29.45. He was also a bowler, but was never asked to deliver his right-arm off breaks for his national team. His highest test score was 115 not out.

While his international cricketing career was not particularly productive, he made 37 hundreds and over 11000 runs in first class cricket. His international career came to a premature end because of his suspect technique against genuine pace. At the time of his retirement, he held the Ranji Trophy records (since bettered) for most runs and hundreds. His talent first became evident as a student in Bishop Cotton Boys School, Bangalore, and he represented his country in a junior team that travelled to Australia. Throughout his career, he represented Karnataka state and captained the team to many victories. He and fellow international Gundappa Vishwanath formed a formidable batting pair.

He was regarded as an excellent fielder normally covering areas around cover and point.

After his playing days he became cricket administrator.

A Jagmohan Dalmiya (past President of the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI)) supporter, Patel was appointed the Director of the National Cricket Academy in India until he was replaced in 2005 by another ex-Test cricketer, Shivlal Yadav, the current director of...Read More